Among the notable entries from automakers at the 2014 North American International Auto Show is the all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. No longer the baby in the “Benz family – that now belongs to the CLA-Class, the 2015 C-Class boasts new exterior styling, roomier and more luxurious cabin, two powerful engines, and, for the first time, standard all-wheel drive.

Another compelling sales point for the new C-Class is that it will be built in Alabama alongside the M-Class. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class goes on sale this fall.

An Optional Sport package includes aggressive bodywork and a lowered, sport-tuned suspension.

Exterior Styling

While some media pundits call the exterior “suggestively styled,” Motor Trend says the 2015 C-Class “has S-Class written all over it, especially from the side…essentially a carbon copy of the S.” The front end, meanwhile, has elements influenced by the recently updated E-Class.

The 2015 C-Class has a wheelbase that has been stretched to 112 inches, which is about three inches more than the 2014 model. Overall length gains 3.7 inches and 1.6 inches have been added to the overall width. This translates to a nice amount of additional interior room. The car is also 220 pounds lighter, thanks to a lighter and stiffer body structure. Trunk space also benefits, now holding up to 17 cubic feet of cargo, an increase of 5.3 cubic feet.

Lavishly-appointed Interior

Where the 2015 C-Class really shines is in the interior. With its lavish applications of aluminum and wood and higher levels of quality and craftsmanship, the C-Class lives up to the expectations for a midsize luxury sedan.

The C-Class also provides a next-generation technology suite with touchpad interface, the mbrace2 connected car system and free-standing central display. The COMAND infotainment system is installed in either the standard 7-inch display or the optionally-available 8.4-inch display as part of the Multimedia package.

Other interior features include a head-up display, an optional Burmester sound system, an optional Air Balance system that adds improved filtration, air ionization, and a feature that allows the addition of a fragrance.